How societal intolerance compels individuals to become either saints or charlatanson May 22, 2018Title: Saints and Charlatans Author: Sarim Baig Publishers: Mongrel Books, Karachi Pages: 205, Price: Rs. 700/- Stories and those too in English language written on the most burning issues in Punjab coming out of pen of a young man Sairum Baig surprised me. The author has written nine short stories in the book titled ‘Saints and Charlatans’ published by Mongrel Books, Karachi. The … [Read more...] about How societal intolerance compels individuals to become either saints or charlatans
‘Anarkali’ — exploring truth behind the legendary slave girl’s deathon May 15, 2018Title: Anarkali Author: Mirza Hamid Beg Publishers: Dost Publications, Islamabad Pages: 248, Price: Rs. 500/- Mirza Hamid Baig has 35 printed books to his credit encompassing research, criticism, short fiction and translation work. The Baha-u-din Zikria University, Multan, AIOU, Islamabad and University of Education, Lahore conducted research on his creative work in the form of thesis … [Read more...] about ‘Anarkali’ — exploring truth behind the legendary slave girl’s death
‘Bayaz’ — an affordable literary treasureon May 11, 2018Title: Bayaz – May 2018 Editor: Imran Manzoor Publishers: Bayaz Group of Publications, Lahore Pages: 257, Price: Rs. 100/- Short story titled 'Qissa Kahani' by writer Seema Piroze’s in the latest issue of monthly literary magazine Bayaz (May 2018) pertains to the power of motherly love whether in humans or in the animals. It recalls the story telling of grandmother about the adoption … [Read more...] about ‘Bayaz’ — an affordable literary treasure
‘Rida-e-Urdu’ — discussing essence of the Urdu languageon May 1, 2018I wonder how an individual can write several books at a time. Professor Dr. Haroon ur Rasheed Tabassum is one such person who does this feat as five books were received only recently from him titled ‘Rida e Urdu’, ‘Adabi Istalahaat’, ‘Isnaaf e Urdu’, ‘Tafakhur e Pakistan’ and ‘Chand Hum Asar Iqbal Shanaas’. Since only one book can be reviewed at a time, I chose 'Rida e Urdu’. The theme of this … [Read more...] about ‘Rida-e-Urdu’ — discussing essence of the Urdu language
Rafiq Ali — music composer of the melodic eraon April 29, 2018Rafiq Ali, known as Master Rafiq Ali in the film world, a Pakistani music composer composed from 1958 to 1987 a total of 62 songs for 26 films; 32 songs in 15 Urdu films and 30 songs in 10 Punjabi films. 1980s was perhaps the last decade when Pakistani film industry produced melodious music. Back then, the ingredients of the three pillar of composing music; music composer, poet and singers were … [Read more...] about Rafiq Ali — music composer of the melodic era
Shamim Nazli — Pakistan’s only female film composeron April 18, 2018Pakistani film industry has been blessed with a powerful sister duo. Mala, or Nasim Nazli was the famous playback singer and Shamim Nazli was the only female music composer in Pakistani film Industry. Both hailed from Faisalabad and were nicknamed as Shammo and Kalo because of their respective fair and dark complexions. Shamim Nazli was the niece of Mirza Sultan Beg, alias Nizam Din, who was born … [Read more...] about Shamim Nazli — Pakistan’s only female film composer
‘Taoos Faqat Rang’ — linked with past but relates to present dayon March 18, 2018Neelum Ahmad Basheer has seen both sides of the world. Born and raised in Pakistan, she has spent considerable time in the US. She says that she is a Pakistani but her children are American-Pakistanis. Already established as a short story writer, she has ventured into entering a larger canvass of novel writing and has knitted a story spread over both places of her abode. She observes that the … [Read more...] about ‘Taoos Faqat Rang’ — linked with past but relates to present day
Suman Kalyanpur — playback singer with soft and delicate voiceon March 12, 2018It was 1964 when I went to Bombay with Mushtaq Hashimi, my friend and singing partner. We stayed at Khayyam's house who was a music composer of Bombay film industry. Khayyam is elder brother of Mushtaq Hashimi. Since we were fond of watching Indian films, we went to watch recently released film 'Shagun' starring Waheeda Rehman and Kamaljeet supported by Chand Usmani, Neena Achla, Nivedita. Apart … [Read more...] about Suman Kalyanpur — playback singer with soft and delicate voice
‘Tasteer’ — well selected combination of poems and proseon March 6, 2018Literary journal ‘Tasteer’ is now being published regularly with its quality contents. The December 2017 annual issue has been printed in fine thin paper with beautiful title by Aalia Mirza. The inside of title page consists of her introduction. She is an expert in painting landscapes with feminist themes. She has written columns as well as features for newspapers. She bagged first prize in PNCA … [Read more...] about ‘Tasteer’ — well selected combination of poems and prose
‘Istaara’ – emanating discussions on idyllic conceptson February 8, 2018Salahuddin Parvez, an Indian Muslim poet and filmmaker, used to publish a magazine named Istaara in 1990s. It stopped being published after his death. But two intellectuals from Lahore, Dr Amjad Tufail and Riaz Ahmad, now publish a magazine by the same name. This magazine aims not only to present the contributions of the seniors in a portion titled Taza Kaar o Pukhta Kaar (fresh and seasoned), but … [Read more...] about ‘Istaara’ – emanating discussions on idyllic concepts
